Morning thoughts
by John Berkowitz on Apr 10, 2009 12:28 PM PDT
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PrintThe Huskies will be practicing today in helmets and shorts so they can get the team healthy for Saturday's scrimmage. I will have the usual info and links up after practice is over.
In the meantime Bob Condotta of the Times did a chat yesterday and it as usual was interesting.
A couple readers asked questions about the coaches swearing at practice and about fighting. I guess after four years of Tyrone people forgot that coaches swear on occasion and players do mix it up from time to time. Have we entered such a politically correct era that people are suprised by that?
Another thing I found interesting was that Sark had some of his kids with him at the end of practice when he was being interviewed. His young daughter kept coming up behind him to put a stuffed bunny on his shoulder while he was on camera which was pretty funny. The coach took it all in stride and told the media to get used to it.
The interviews that take place almost immediately after practice are refereshing after four years of Tyrone. Sark and the players are very available which is great to see. He doesn't beat around the bush either. You ask him a question and he gives you a very straight forward answer.
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Got to love a family man
I love the fact that his kids are around all the time, and that his daughter is trying to play with him while he’s being interviewed. I think it’s a great example for the players, no matter how much you work, you still make time for family.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Lear ...
… I was just thinking back to our banter back in December. You’ve come a long way on Sark since then. Kudos to you – glad you are so pumped.
"Greed is Good."
So is Rudy.
I was thinking the same thing...
even as recently as a couple of weeks ago too. Love the positivity coming from Lear right now.
Now that I think of it ...
… I seem to remember you, too, having some strong doubts and then feeling refreshed after sleeping on it. I’m glad everyone is so pumped … except Norm1 who, if I recall, referred to Woodward as an “idiot” and wanted us all to email him to let him know that. wonder if he’s feeling a more rosy outlook. I don’t know if it spring time euphoria, but I’m feeling stoked.
"Greed is Good."
So is Rudy.
Norm1
I enjoy Norm when he pops by.
Like I said below my first reaction was WTF?
I wasn’t even close to being in the minority.
Woodward made a great choice IMHO.
by John Berkowitz on Apr 10, 2009 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I was underwhelmed at first by the choice of Sarkisian. I wanted Mora, and when that looked doubtful I wanted them to go hard after guys like Brian Kelly, Kyle Whittingham and Gary Patterson. I firmly believe if Emmert had offered $2.5M to Whittingham he would’ve had a hard time turning it down.
But almost everything Sarkisian has done so far has impressed me. Yeah, the recruiting class he pulled in for 2009 wasn’t that great on paper, but the effort was there and when you consider the situation he inherited, I think he did quite well. And he’s off to a great start with the 2010 class. He’s done all the right things from a PR perspective in terms of embracing the program’s history and opening up the program to fans. The minor recruiting violations were a nuisance, but I’m not overly worried he’ll turn into a Neuheisel in terms of constantly skirting the rules and getting the NCAA camped on our doorstep. His coaching staff hires have been good (though it stung to lose Michalczik to the NFL), and it appears as though the team has bought in. The conditioning appears improved if the stories are to be believed.
But as Lear says, the real proof will come this Fall – how many wins?
For me, 6+ wins will show he’s a great coach. 4 wins puts me in a wait-and-see mode. 2 wins or less and I’m thinking we should’ve ponied up more money for a more proven guy.
Mora
Mora was the logical choice if you are a Husky fan. He seemed to have all the right attributes but I was never completely sold on him for a number of reasons. Most of that had to do with a lack of college coaching and recruiting experience. You really can’t underestimate that.
It isn’t like Sark had a huge network of his own…but he does know California, he does know college football, and he had a lot of experience recruiting.
I think my original favorite was probably Kelly.
In the end though I think we got the best guy.
Six wins with this squad would be just amazing in 2009.
Don James firmly believes this current squad is capable of only winning two games next year no matter who the coaches are. DJ knows a thing or two so if they only win two I am not buying into the we should have gotten a more proven guy theory.
That is just me.
by John Berkowitz on Apr 10, 2009 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions
The interesting thing is, a lot of what made me excited about Mora as a possibility, we got in Sarkisian. It seems to me that Sarkisian brings the same kind of excitement in recruiting that I believe Mora would’ve added, though for slightly different reasons. Sarkisian is saying all the right things about Husky tradition, things I’m certain would’ve been present with Mora. Sarkisian has brought openness to the program, probably even more than we would’ve gotten with Mora.
As for expected win totals, we’ve had this discussion before – I firmly believe the Huskies would’ve won at least 2 games last year had Locker not gotten hurt, and possibly more like 3 or 4. The team suffered very little in terms of lost production, and gains back E.J. Savannah and (hopefully) some immediate help from JC’s. If Locker is healthy all season, I see no reason to not expect to build off of what they would’ve done last year if he’d been healthy, so in that sense I think 4 wins is average and 6 wins is optimistic, but doable.
I don’t think the raw talent level on this team is horrible – I just think they were poorly conditioned, didn’t have winning attitudes and didn’t really progress as expected under the old staff. With better conditioning, better coaching and a better attitude, I think they can stage a big turnaround. I think there are a number of parallels between the UW now and Cal in 2002 when Tedford took over. Is Sarkisian as good a coach as Tedford? We’ll see…
Bingo
We did get someone who brings the qualities we were hoping for in Mora.
Last year?
Ya, no way the teams goes 0-12 with Locker and Savannah in the line-up…..could have been four wins there.
I think they have OK talent but the lack of development and conditioning takes a couple of years to correct.
It is going to be very interesting to see how they do this fall.
by John Berkowitz on Apr 10, 2009 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Funny . . .
In December I was really wondering about Dr. Emmert and Scott Woodward’s ability to run a major football program. The funny part, they are looking awfully good right now, and rightfully so.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
HAHA
Who had strong doubts? Not me…
I did have my doubts at first but the next day I felt good. I think we made the right move and the wins will come. Just wait, I will.
Thank you
I appreciate the comment, I’ve been really impressed with Sark so far. To be honest, I had (and still do to a point) a very hard time dealing with the fact that we passed on Mike Leach for a first time head coach. Even after his first press conference, I wasn’t so sure about him, like hairofthedawgs fanpost said, we’ve heard all of the rhetoric before. But I really like people who know how to work their butts off and Sark is doing just that.
I definitely under estimated the positives of open practice and opening up the program to the fans. After watching practice and seeing Jake run 70 yards for a touchdown, I realized that Sark was going to be wise enough to use all of Jake’s talents. I like coaches who are flexible and will mold their system with the players talents.
So far I think Sark is doing a fabulous job in every aspect, but he still has to prove himself on Saturday’s. Everything he has done so far is pointless if it doesn’t translate into wins. That being said, I really, really, really hope that he turns out to be the next Urban Meyer, meaning the next big thing in college coaches. If he is successful on game day, I’d love to see him coaching UW football for the next 30 years.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
The choice of Sark
When they announced him as coach I said WTF?
Since the first time he opened his mouth at the press conference I have been extremely impressed. I really can’t find any fault with anything he has done. He seems to understand the job, the needs, and he seems to be getting it done.
That being said he hasn’t coached a single game yet. I can understand when people are reserved in their judgement because of that. However my gut instinct tells me he was the very best man for the job and he is going to do great during his tenure at UW.
Would I take Leach or someone else over him today….no way.
by John Berkowitz on Apr 10, 2009 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I really hope your instincts are right!
He has really proven himself, so far. I really under estimated what a young coach can bring to the table, and how attractive that could be to the current high school players.
Would I rather have Sark or Leach? As of this moment, I’d take still take Leach. I know he’s weird, but he knows how to make a winner. Give me 6+ wins next season and I’ll be really torn. Give me a Rose Bowl in the next three years, and I’ll be saying, “Mike who?”.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
The wins will come...
I too am very happy with Sark. I also was a little dissappointed when he was first hired because I didn’t know much about him and what I did hear was questionable (mostly from USC blogs, which must have been sour grapes). Now I feel extremely happy with his hire and have told Woodward so. I am not as worried about the wins this coming season since we are climbing out of a very deep hole. I feel he is doing everything I could want from a Huskie head coach. Next season 4 wins along with competitive games will show we are headed in the right direction. For me it’s 2010 that will start to show if he is as good a teacher as he his a “coach”.
I sure enjoy reading everyone elses posts here. Thanks for all the updates. I agree with Lear’s thoughts on swearing too, well said.
That was the weird thing about TW...
…if you didn’t know any better, you’d think the man was single.
Washington Husky Football-1991 National Champions
TW
He never included his wife and kids in the public view.
by John Berkowitz on Apr 10, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions
I heard him mention his son, once.
Never heard him mention his wife.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
I'm sure there are many things to criticize about TW
… but not exposing his family into the media and fan scrutiny of how he performed his job is probably not one of them. Quite the opposite, in fact.
"Greed is Good."
So is Rudy.
I agree Gecko
Tyrone’s wife was a former anchor person. They both had a total distrust of the media for better or worse. Paranoid is what I would call it. If you want to be ont he big stage handling the media and not ignoring it is part of the gameplan.
by John Berkowitz on Apr 10, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Family Man
I can remember going to high school soccer games as a kid when my dad coached and running around Memorial stadium. It was a thrill as a kid. That is cool that is family is around and so much more refreshing from where the program was just a year ago.
It sounds like players are really enjoying the new environment. TW was really a black hole for emotions and not only kept his sucked in, but the entire programs. Remember how lifeless the team was at last years Apple Cup?
Never Again!
Swearing
In regards to swearing within the program that is within the policies of the program. If a coach uses swearing as a tool, it’s part of the policy. I don’t mind one way or the other.
However I don’t use swearing in my program. The reason is because “as teacher does, students do”. Now correct me if I am wrong, but dropping an F Bomb during a game could result in a unsportsmanlike penalty (15 yarder). I don’t give up field position- never and if I do then I am #%&#$ing mad as hell!
You can still get kids attention without cussing- it’s all about tone, facial expression, and voice command. Not to mention but saying F-ing this, F-ing you, and F-ing that is the lazy man’s way of using verbs. I respect a person more for not swearing then a person who does, but that is just me.
Nothing wrong with it, if it is part of policy then I am okay with it. The only thing that really matters is being successful and if that tool works then it’s all good.
All I saw was purple
Well
It isn’t like these coaches are profane.
Dropping one or two every once in awhile is something that every single coach I have ever been associated with did from time to time. That was thirty years ago and a different world but salty talk and football go together.
I don’t think anyone would call DJ profane….but he was capable of some sailor talk in the right situation.
I try not to swear, like Crazi says it is a lazy use of a verb…but it does happen.
by John Berkowitz on Apr 10, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions
your subsequent post...
… said that profanities were flying like runway geese. Did Lear write that line??? Sounds like more than one or two…but certainly far fewer than one might here in the den of a frat house.
"Greed is Good."
So is Rudy.
Profanity has it's place
and coming from right person at the right time, can really get a point across. I grew up on a farm and there are some jobs you do where the right thing needs to be done at the right time or people get hurt. My grandfather, his farm, swore a lot, but most of it, like when I was in basic training was in one ear and out the other, but when he dropped an f-bomb on me, I definitely took notice. I didn’t do it again. Greetings from Thailand, by the way. Phuket is a wonderful place. Any suggestions anyone? It’s not like I have nothing to do, but if there are any can’t miss things to try let me know. I still check in daily. And yes, I’ve already been beaten severely with foam pipe insulation at Suzy Wong’s.
by hairofthedawg on Apr 10, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Phuket
On my list of things to do.
I saw it recently on the travel channel and it looks like paradise.
Watch out for the big wave though!
by John Berkowitz on Apr 10, 2009 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Swearing
It all depends on the age of the kids you are coaching. I’m as conservative as they come, and I hate it when people swear around kids, but this is college football.
I didn’t notice any overly foul language when I was at practice. When you are trying to motivate a college male, the occasional use of a foul word is going to help your cause and get your point across much better. The key is, occasional use, continual swearing just comes across as immature or ignorant.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
I agree with both you fellas. To each their own. I don’t have to use it because if a player respects you then the message is sent and understood. It’s all about style, nothing wrong with it either way. My main point was that if it works use it, but if it turns kids off don’t.
All I saw was purple
Button pushing
I agree with you, everybody has buttons, and every player has different buttons, a good coach figures out what the buttons are and pushes them when necessary. What works on one player, won’t necessarily work on others.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
I haven't coached in years...
I really can’t remember swearing when I did it but I was coaching 7th grade football so it would have been way inappropiate.
by John Berkowitz on Apr 10, 2009 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Swearing
I don’t mind it if it’s used to emphisize a point but if just thrown out all over the place for no real reason then I find it a bit annoying.
Greats Sometimes Come from Subsequent Choices
Count me in the Sark camp as well. He’s done a really great job so far on just about every aspect of the program. And if the Class of 2010 shapes up as well as it looks it just may do…well, let’s change great to ‘fantastic’ job.
Life can be a little be funny. Sark was nobody’s first choice in the early days of the HC search. But sometimes great choices don’t always come from your first inclinations. We are know Don James was not the first choice when he came here.
Pete Carroll only got the Trojan gig after Dennis Erickson, Mike Bellotti, and Mike Riley turned it down. He wasn’t even their second choice; he was their fourth!
And regardless of what you think if USC, they done ‘pretty’ well under Pete. Indeed, Pete’s mentoring of Sark and Holt may have an indirect hand in what looks like the resurgence of Washington. For real, this time.
In the early innings of the search, my first choice was Mike Leach — even more so after Tennessee passed on him.
Out of curiosity, anyone know the inside poop on why he didn’t hit it off with the UW’s president and AD?
the Poop
Leach interviewed badly. They interviewed him a second time just to make sure. He was the big name UW wanted but they simply liked Sark a lot better.
When Jim Owens was hired they also interviewed Tom Landry, Vince Lombardi, and Pete Elliott. The three who didn’t get the kob ended up being hall of famers.
“He looks fine to me. He looks good to me. Let’s hope it works,” George Briggs said of Sarkisian. “He’s obviously the antithesis of (former UW coach Tyrone) Willingham. He wants everybody to come out and dance and sing, the opposite of Ty. Let’s hope he can coach.”
by John Berkowitz on Apr 10, 2009 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Quirky
Sorry, no inside info for you, but he has been associated with that word by both friends and foes. My TT buddy told be a couple of weeks ago that he still hasn’t signed the contract extension he was offered shortly after the UW interview….and he might not sign it.
He’s a lawyer, never played college FB, has a goofy offense, worships pirates, and he’s quirky. None of those traits are necessarily bad (except for being a lawyer), but combined you have a weird guy that might not offer the stability you need for your broken program.
But he sure knows how to win
and score a lot of points.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Leach
They could have had him but they realized he wasn’t the right fit at the right time.
His act wouldn’t have played well in Seattle at this time. The last thing we needed was another anti media coach.
by John Berkowitz on Apr 10, 2009 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Got give Sark credit
After going 0-12 we would have been glad to get 2,000 people out to the spring game, but to get that many people out for a regular practice is pretty amazing.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
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